Consultation on WHO country estimates for bone health

20, AVENUE APPIA – CH-1211 GENEVA 27 – SWITZERLAND – TEL CENTRAL +41 22 791 2111 – FAX CENTRAL +41 22 791 3111 – WWW.WHO.INT

Ref.: C.L.14.2026

The World Health Organization (WHO) presents its compliments to Member States and

Associate Members and has the honour to inform them that WHO is currently conducting consultations with its Member States to review individual country estimates on low bone density,

osteoporosis, and low-trauma fractures in adults, to identify and utilize primary data sources that may not have been previously identified. These estimates are being developed for the first time using publicly available data sources identified by WHO and will be validated, in accordance

with standard practice, through consultation with national focal points nominated by Member States, including Ministry of Health representatives or external national experts working at the

national level in collaboration with the Ministry on the health topics outlined above.

These estimates form part of WHO’s efforts to strengthen the global evidence base on bone health, with particular focus on the health agenda and the substantial burden of low bone density, osteoporosis, and low-trauma hip fractures among postmenopausal women. By improving

understanding of the scale and distribution of this major and often preventable cause of disability, loss of independence, and premature mortality, the estimates will facilitate policy

dialogue, prevention strategies, and national health planning in Member States. They will also contribute to advancing universal health coverage by informing more equitable access to prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.

The consultation will be conducted via email with a designated person as a focal point.

National focal points will also be involved in the review and, where appropriate, the revision of WHO’s current definitions of low bone density, osteoporosis, and low-trauma fractures. To

ensure accurate and timely estimates for your country, the designation of the focal point, along with contact details, should be sent by 30 April 2026 to the Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Ageing Health, via email to: [email protected].

Further information can also be obtained by sending an email to the same address.

Preliminary estimates and accompanying documentation on the methods and data sources will be e-mailed to the national focal point during the first week of August 2026. Focal points

are requested to send their submission with the outcome of the national consultation process at the latest by 30 January 2027. Any submissions received after this date may not be included

in the final publication of country estimates. WHO will release the estimates on its website and in a scientific report in 2027.

The World Health Organization takes this opportunity to renew to Member States and Associate Members the assurance of its highest consideration.

GENEVA, 17 April 2026